Page 26 of Artful Deceit
“I can’t imagine it’s as simple as that. Maybe Maria was lying.”
“I don’t think so, because I also asked Glynis and Mirren if they remembered someone staying with Maria at the time of the fire. I’m sure they’d remember if a child had been there.”
Even in the silence, she could feel his sympathy.
“Things seem a little quieter here,” he said eventually. “I can wander over to the shop for a bit.”
“Don’t,” Lily said, then cursed herself. “I mean, don’t feel you have to. I’m fine, and I need to do some shopping, so I might not even be around.” It wasn’t technically a lie. Just that the implication was she’d be food shopping and not pretending to shop for artwork.
“Are you annoyed with me?”
“No,” she said impatiently. “Why would I be?”
“Because you were upset about Maria and I didn’t have time for you, and––”
“You did have time for me,” she said, cutting him off. “You sat on the beach and listened to me when you should have been at work.”
“Yes, but…”
“I’m not annoyed with you,” she said, forcefully this time.
“Okay. Well, I want to hear all about it later.”
“Thanks,” she muttered. “Is there anything new concerning the burglaries?”
“No. It seems as though the thief went on a spree and then stopped. Which makes sense since they’ve lost the element of surprise – people are being more careful about security.”
Lily suspected the real reason was that they’d decided they’d hit the jackpot with her backpack and could retire from their life of petty crime.
“We’ve got people on the lookout for anyone suspicious leaving the islands by sea or air,” Flynn went on. “So we should still have a good chance of catching them.”
“Fingers crossed.” She smiled at the young woman pushing abuggy and waved at the little one, who she knew was partial to her banana ice cream.
“Hi, Lily!” the toddler said, waving madly.
“Hello,” she cooed in return.
“I should let you get on,” Flynn said. “You sound busy.”
Grimacing, she told him she’d talk to him later before ending the call.
Chapter Thirteen
“That wasa spot of bad luck that you didn’t catch me this morning,” Gideon said, plodding up the spiral stairs ahead of Lily. “At least Len finally came in useful, even if it was passing on messages.”
Lily stepped up into the art studio, which was flooded with afternoon sunlight. “I’d imagine keeping your windows clean is pretty helpful too.”
“Yes, but the attention to detail isn’t always what it could be.” He pointed to the corner of the window. “Look at that streak.”
Lily pursed her lips as she fought to make out the tiny smudge at the very edge of the pane. It was on the tip of her tongue to suggest he should pay him more if he wanted a better service, but she kept the thought to herself.
“I believe you’ve got some paintings to show me,” she said instead.
“I have.” He moved to the end of the room, where canvases leaned against each other like tightly packed dominoes. “I’ll be honest, I’ve been into your ice cream shop, and I have to say I’d never have thought you the type to be interested in high-quality artwork.”
“It’s not for the shop. I keep the decor purposely generic downstairs. I’m looking for something for my flat.”
“It seems I misjudged you, that’s all. I suppose I’ve just got used to the locals not appreciating my art. They all want stuff that looks like photos of local scenery. Makes no sense to me. If you want something that looks like a photo, take a photo!” He rolled his eyes beneath his thick dark eyebrows and tugged at his brightly coloured neckerchief. “I used to have a studio in London, you know. In the heart of the art scene. It’s a different life when you’re surrounded by people who appreciate your talent.”
